Effective treatment of premenstrual violence in major depression: augmentation with aripiprazole.
Premenstrual exacerbation of major depression is not uncommon. Premenstrual phase-related violence has also been reported. Serotonergic antidepressants, used both continuously and with increased dosage in the late luteal phase, are believed to be effective for major depressive disorder with premenstrual exacerbation. Adding a second medication for non-responder treatment is another treatment option. We present a 38-year-old woman suffering from major depression with premenstrual exacerbation of irritability and uncontrollable violence. The premenstrual exacerbation did not respond to increasing doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) but a combination of an SSRI and late luteal phase aripiprazole was effective for her premenstrual violence. The serotonergic property of aripiprazole provides a synergic effect to SSRI for relieving premenstrual exacerbation of depression. The role of dopamine D2 as a partial agonist might further add to the effective alleviation of aggression and violence. An antidepressant with aripiprazole augmentation may be a treatment strategy for refractory premenstrual exacerbation and violence. Large-scale double blind placebo-controlled studies to verify efficacy are warranted.
Yao
Yi-Chun
YC
Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fusing St., Gueishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
Chiang
Pi-Hui
PH
Hsiao
Mei-Chun
MC
Liu
Chia-Yih
CY
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014754:Violence
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole